Erin Ruane is a super talented designer and illustrator currently working as a Mid-weight Designer for Here Design in London. Graduating during the recent pandemic, Erin remembers the challenge of finding creative inspiration in the confines of her bedroom. However, she found the slower paced end to her university course, gave her the breathing space to develop her own style, craft her beautiful portfolio of work and consider carefully what she wanted to do next.
Quickly realising the newfound power of networking using digital platforms, Erin was not afraid to contact others working in the industry for advice, an approach that helped her to land a role as Junior Designer at Here Design. In her experience, most people were genuinely happy to help and it was worth asking for a portfolio review or a chat, even if a studio comes back saying they’re not hiring, it can still be a great way to get a foot in the door. Some other sound advice Erin would give those starting out is to remember getting into “design is not a race,” being patient is key as it “takes time to find what works for you.”
Erin’s bold expressive illustration style has gained her recognition with KISS, a Leeds based brand consultancy, who commissioned her to create a mural that adorns their office window. When looking for inspiration, she usually avoids looking at other design work, instead taking influence from all kinds of places to allow a project to, “take shape naturally over time.” From her beautiful illustrations to clever design concepts, we love Erin’s work and look forward to following her path as she progresses in her career.
We talked to Erin to find out more about combining design and illustration in her practice, where she finds inspiration and how she approaches a new project.
Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you approach a new project?
When approaching new projects, I try to make sure I’m taking inspiration from a variety of different sources and avoid relying on graphic design alone as a reference point. I get my inspiration from all sorts of places – from album artwork to trainers – it usually starts off as a small idea and then it grows from there. Thinking about colour first can really help me to free up a lot of my thinking about how to create a particular energy within my work; the curation of a new colour palette can sometimes even inspire the whole theme of a project.
At the start, I also think it helps to set small intentions. Too many references in the inspiration phase can sometimes play with your perception of what you’re intending to create. One thing I’m still learning is to not get too attached to an ‘idea’ of what a project could look like and instead let the work grow and take shape naturally over time.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started your design course so far?
The importance of pace and patience. I think stepping into the world of design, I felt the initial overwhelm of finding my creative voice amongst everything else. It takes time to find what works for you and it’s not a race. I would tell myself to trust that things will develop gradually over time as you begin to gain more experience and that ultimately, often design is never going to feel like you’ve finished – you just reach moments of success.
“I would tell myself to trust that things will develop gradually over time as you begin to gain more experience and that ultimately, often design is never going to feel like you’ve finished – you just reach moments of success.”
How would you describe yourself as a designer and your design work?
My portfolio is a mixture between design and illustration – often landing in a space which is bright, bold, and expressive. More specifically in my illustrative practice, I start with defining strong graphic shapes and combining layered textures with energetic mark-making. The whole process is quite intuitive depending on how I’m feeling at the time.
Whenever I’m designing, I’m always thinking about how I can merge the two sides of my interests together as I find it fun when I can bring in parts of my illustration work into my design practice.
How did entering the industry during a pandemic impact your career journey?
The end of my university experience was certainly different than anticipated; finding inspiration and creative stimulation from the solace of your own room was a challenge at times.
There is no rulebook for graduating during a global pandemic and with the challenge of uncertainty comes creative resolutions. The very gradual end to the course allowed for space to breathe and more time for me to really reflect and consider my next moves post-grad. I also had a chance to focus my energy on building my personal practice and put much more consideration into finding more confidence on what my own style could begin to look like. It’s strange to think my portfolio could look very different (or some parts might not even exist at all) had our graduation period occurred in ‘more normal’ circumstances.
A big lesson I feel like I took forward from the experience was a newfound confidence in the power of networking. With networking being primarily online, it meant there was no limit on the distance we could all connect with other creatives. When it came to landing my first junior role, it helped not being afraid to give creatives/studios a nudge and, if they came back to me saying they weren’t hiring at the time, I’d ask if I could get feedback on my portfolio instead. Most people in the industry are genuinely nice and openly willing to help and everyone that I connected with was very understanding of the general pressure recent graduates had faced in the middle of the pandemic.
“When it came to landing my first junior role, it helped not being afraid to give creatives/studios a nudge and, if they came back to me saying they weren’t hiring at the time, I’d ask if I could get feedback on my portfolio instead.”
What do you find most challenging about being a designer and illustrator?
Self-doubt is something I’m continually learning to get comfortable with and to really face up to those imposter thoughts. To remind myself to trust all the work that’s brought me to where I am now and never stop learning.
“Keeping things fresh can sometimes feel like a challenge too. I think finding frequent ways to switch up your process can help keep the evolution of your style fun and playful.”
Name your top three creative crushes currently working in the industry?
- Aussie designer and studio @evi_o – obsessed with every new cookbook they make – and continually inspired by the balance between Evi O as an individual designer and Evi O as a collaborative studio spirit.
- French Illustrator and artist @MaryLouFaure – I always find myself repeatedly drawn to her playful consideration of colours and expression of the female form. Love everything about her as a brand and how she’s defined her style.
- My final creative crushes currently working in the industry – a special shoutout to all the incredibly talented women at @HereDesign – a group of very inspiring, talented people that I will always look up to.
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Article by Rebecca Burrows